On the Other Hand, for Memorial Day

On the other hand, there is media kerfuffle on the Right about Chris Hayes of MSNBC saying he has a problem with using the word, “heroes” for the dead on Memorial Day because that word ennobles war and worst of all, ennobles the current war effort.   What could be worse?  I . . . . Continue Reading »

Splitting Lincolnian Hairs

I’ve had the opportunity recently to do some extra-careful thinking about Lincoln, the founding, and the Union. I’m pretty sure I’ve decided that many nettlesome and momentous theoretical issues came to a head in one relatively small practical question. What degree of peril did . . . . Continue Reading »

Therapy and the Military, Redux

Continuing coverage : “To me,” Mr. Meehan said, “the healing power of being able to write through everything, talk through everything, really helped me make order of it.” “That’s something I know is going to be one of the tragic long-lasting effects of the Fort Hood . . . . Continue Reading »

The Touch, The Feel of Patienthood

At Ft. Hood’s “Spiritual Fitness Center” , the therapeutic’s trying to change warrior culture one triumph at a time: on the vast Army post cloaked in drab, Fort Hood’s new Spiritual Fitness Center offers color. Inside, sunlight filters through stained glass of lavender . . . . Continue Reading »

Two Wrongs

(1) NATO’s worryingly inadequate and incredible shrinking performance in Afghanistan (2) NATO’s determination to go ahead with wargames in Georgia Best possible absurd justification: the Georgia exercises are training for Afghan missions! Is anyone else filled with concern by this turn . . . . Continue Reading »

Stand Up and Be Counted

As James observes, it’s good to be back in business. And while he appropriately thanks Jody and Joe for bringing us aboard the First Things mothership, I want to thank him for doing what I am far to lazy to do: set up and maintain a blog. It was a pleasure to contribute to PoMoCo at . . . . Continue Reading »